‘Tis the season! For what, exactly? Well, for most, ‘tis the season of holiday cheer, family gatherings, festive theming and no small amount of gift giving.
For an unlucky few, ‘tis the season to spend Christmas Eve in the emergency room. That is because — as many personal injury lawyers know — the holiday season can correspond to a rise in certain accidents, such as the following:
Fires and Burns
One of the biggest risks to homeowners during the Holiday season lies in the various sources of fires. Foremost are electrical fires, which can occur when someone overloads an electrical socket or creates a short by using frayed wires or allowing water to contact a connected plug.
Christmas tree fires are also a frequent worry. Although most trees are not nearly as flame-friendly as they once were thanks to improvements in light strand designs, owners who forget to water their trees essentially have perfect kindling standing in their living rooms.
Other sources of fires include candles, lit fireplaces and space heaters being placed too close to flammable objects. Cooking burns are also common as people attempt to juggle multiple dishes while preparing holiday meals.
Falls While Decorating
According to one CDC study, around 5,800 people fall from their roofs every year while putting up holiday decorations. These falls can result in serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries, concussions, broken legs and traumatic brain injuries.
People decorating their homes should take care to use a ladder appropriately and avoid leaning too far in one direction. Fall prevention devices can also be used so long as they are properly anchored.
Trip and Falls
Aside from falling from roofs, people often fall on flat ground when they encounter icy walkways or trip over extension cords. To prevent such accidents, all extension cords should be taped down or at the very least marked with brightly-colored gaffer tape.
Lighting outdoor areas can help people avoid snow and ice, but shoveling and salting your walkways is the only way to effectively reduce the risk of slipping.
Winter Recreation Injuries
Winter sports are a joyous amount of fun and should be enjoyed and appreciated while the season allows for them.
At the same time, adults and families should exercise caution since over 35,000 sledding accidents are reported every winter. Families should use only approved, safe sledding devices rather than improvised objects, and no one should be pulling a Clark Griswold by greasing their sled with cooking spray.
As for ice skating and hockey, ensure that all skate blades are straight and acceptably sharp. Ice hockey games should involve the same equipment mandated by recreational leagues, including a face mask, shin guards, gloves and body padding.
Hypothermia
While outdoors doing chores or having fun, take care that you rest and give your body time to raise its temperature. Many people succumb to exhaustion during these activities, greatly increasing the risk of hypothermia.
Always monitor outdoor activities and limit play sessions to two hours or less with breaks in between. Also, ensure that everyone is wearing an appropriate amount of winter gear.
Drunk Driving and Car Accidents
NHTSA data reveals drunk driving fatalities spike within the period around Christmas and New Years. In addition to drunk drivers, exhausted holiday-goers and adverse weather can contribute to a higher likelihood of car wrecks and resulting injuries.
Stay Safe During the Holidays and Call on a Personal Injury Lawyer When Needed
If you have been injured on someone’s property, in a car accident or as a result of a defective product, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. With their help, you can pursue the maximum amount of compensation for your associated costs from all liable parties.
Contact us today for a few case review, and try to stay safe out there this Holiday season!
The post The Most Common Holiday Accidents appeared first on Kiley Law Group.
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